32-20

I have a buddy that has traded for a handgun...it told me that it shot 32-20 ammo...I ahve never heard of this can someone fill me in and tell us where you can buy it.

If you enjoyed reading about "32-20" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join TheHighRoad.org today for the full version!

C.R.Sam

August 27, 2003, 09:46 AM

If all else fails.... OldwesternScrounger should have it.

What state you in ?

Wonder if it is a S&W Hand Ejector ?

Sam

Steven Mace

August 27, 2003, 10:21 AM

Karate, the .32-20 cartridge (http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/p3220.html) is still loaded by Winchester as their code 32201 (http://www.winchester.com/ammunition/store/cfrproductsheet.aspx?symbol=X32201&qrystr=Y2FydGxpc3QrQUQwLU16SXRNakFnVjJsdVkyaGxjM1JsY2crQUNVLTNkK0FDVS0zZCtBQ1ktdXNlbGlzdCtBRDAtbm9uZStBQ1ktYnJhbmRsaXN0K0FEMC1ub25lK0FDWS1idWxsZXR0eXBlK0FEMC1ub25l), and Remington lists theirs as number R32201. Please note that only Winchester states that their .32-20 ammunition is safe to use in revolvers & pistols. Hope this helps!

Steve Mace

Mike Irwin

August 27, 2003, 11:47 AM

That's good information to have, Steve. I recently bought an S&W M&P Model of 1905, 4th Change in .32-20 and got 1 box each of Remington & Winchester ammo.

I was wondering if either or both were usable in revolvers.

Now it looks as if I have to buy a rifle in .32-20.

Sigh. :D

Karate,

The .32-20 is an OLD cartridge. It was introduced around 1873 for the Winchester Model 1873 rifle, and proved to be very popular as a general purpose round.

Colt and Smith & Wesson both chambered revolvers for it in later years. Other makers, such as Remington, may have made revolvers in this caliber, but I simply don't know.

The cartridge was once on the verge of extinction, but has made something of a comeback the last 10 to 15 years with the advent of Cowboy Action Shooting and also with NRA Handgun Silhouette, where some shooters use pretty hot loads in T/C Contenders.

Paul "Fitz" Jones

August 29, 2003, 12:45 AM

I have converted a number of 1892 Winchesters from 32/20 to .357 magnum and had them completely refinished for my adult kids. The gunsmith objected that I was riuning their collectable value and I did not care as I had more of them. At the turn of the century they were the commpn deer caliber when deer were a lot closer to shoot at.

I had a fellow want a deer rifle to use in Utah and his grandads 32/20 would not reach the Utah deer so sight unseen I had my son trade him a WW2 german mauser I had $25 in. I found it in my closet a year later and 30 years later I carried it to a 1992 gun show as I could not convert it.
It was an 1894 marlin with a beautiful walnut stock, beautiful blue case hardening on the receiver and was the only weapon missing in a very large display of all marlin rifles ever made at the Redding Calif show. The buyer had tears of happiness when I walked out the door with $1,200 in cash as it was a half round half octagon barrel transition weapon and was a take down rifle to boot and that is why I could not convert it to a .357 magnum.

I have some ammo in my collection that is flat nose Rem-Umc with a half jacket of german silver was what they called it in the 1920's. I never had the heart to shoot it as some old weapons can have their firing pins break and did on some of my 1892's collection.

Save your collectable ammo for whenever the pistol sells as they are history with the pistol.

Get an old lyman manual if you wish to reload for it

John Paul

Mike Irwin

August 29, 2003, 01:29 AM

The Lee Loading Die set has some loading information in it, but I'm not sure if it's for handguns or rifles or both.

The latest Hornady manual also has reloading data, but unfortunately it's ONLY for rifles and only jacketed bullets.

I can't find my current Lyman book, but I think there is some information in it for .32-20.

stevelyn

August 29, 2003, 09:27 AM

The current issue of Rifle has an informative article on the .32-20 and .25-20 cartridges and the rifles that were chambered for them including manufacturers of factory ammo.

C.R.Sam

August 29, 2003, 11:14 AM

My 50s Lyman has bout 20 loads for .32-20 Revolver.

Think it is bout a 54-55 manual but wore the covers off over the years.

Sam

BigG

August 29, 2003, 11:15 AM

I just read something on 32/20 from Himmelwright, a 1928 book on revolvers and pistols. Th3 32/20 revo was brought out so a guy could shoot the same thing in his revolver as his Winchester rifle. According to Himmelwright, this worked well with black powder but once they switched to smokeless, the things worked well in the rifles but not so well in the revo. I'm sure there must be some up to date data available on the 32/20 in revos. Did you consult the Lyman manual? I find that the most complete of any, especially when looking for the esoteric. Good luck! :)

Mike Irwin

August 29, 2003, 12:06 PM

"The current issue of Rifle has an informative article on the .32-20 and .25-20 cartridges and the rifles that were chambered for them including manufacturers of factory ammo."

I need to get me a copy of that, then.

I have a .32-20 revolver and a Savage .25-20 rifle!

Sam,

"My 50s Lyman has bout 20 loads for .32-20 Revolver."

What are the powders listed for the revolver loads?

MonkeyMan

August 29, 2003, 12:16 PM

Congratulations on your new gun. 32-20's are really interesting old guns. A quick word of warning though; wear good ear protection. My dad has two of the loudest handguns I've ever had the displeasure of standing next to. The worst is a Ruger Blackhawk in .30 carbine. Right behind it is an old Colt New Police in .32-20.:what: